'Every resident will have a say' - Labour answers four key questions ahead of Cambridge City Council elections
Voters go to the polls to elect councillors to 16 of the 42 seats on Cambridge City Council on Thursday (May 2) and we asked each party, and the independent candidate, for their thoughts on four key issues.
Here are Labour's answers.
By Cllr Lewis Herbert, Labour leader, Cambridge City Council
How do we protect Cambridge's special character as it grows?
Our environment and quality of life are vital in ensuring Cambridge continues as a wonderful place to live. The city’s special character is enriched by the wide diversity of our people, from so many different backgrounds.
We will protect historic areas and city open spaces and expect major future developments to add net biodiversity gains. And in the next Joint Local Plan for Greater Cambridge, every resident will have a say what matters most to them.
What should be done about congestion? Would you approve of a congestion charge in Cambridge and/or a workplace parking levy?
We are determined to cut city congestion, learning from over 5000 public responses recently. Daily commuters travelling at peak times need a real options and incentives to switch from car journeys.
Major bus services improvement is needed, plus further investment in cycling. This will require potentially £20m plus per year, and a combination of congestion charging, pollution charging and/or a workplace parking levy will need consultation and then action.
Do you agree there is a climate emergency and what can the council do to address it?
We have reduced city council carbon emissions by over 18% since Labour took control in 2014. But that is not enough, so we declared a Climate Emergency in February. Cambridge could become zero carbon by 2030 with local action and changed Government policies.
We are now creating a Cambridge Climate Charter detailing how every resident, organisation and business can become zero-carbon, and continue the work of our Climate Leaders Group including environmental groups on achieving zero carbon, working to prevent permanent global damage.
How would you tackle the homelessness problem?
Our aim is to end Cambridge street homelessness by 2025, working with agencies like Jimmy’s. Last year we provided organisations with £720,000 funding, and we continue reviewing how best to maximise support for rough sleepers.
Labour created Cambridge Street Aid, £50,000 so far helping over 100 people get off or stay off the street. ‘Housing First’ provides direct accommodation to long-term rough sleepers, and we provide shared accommodation for single homeless people.
Read all the answers
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